BioNTech and CEPI partner for development of mRNA mpox vaccine

Betsy Goodfellow | September 19, 2023 | News story | Research and Development BioNTech, CEPI, Immunology, mpox 

BioNTech and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) have announced a partnership to advance the development of mRNA-based vaccine candidates for the prevention of mpox (formerly knowns as monkeypox).

The vaccine programme, BNT166 is part of BioNTech’s attempt to develop new prophylactic vaccines for various infectious diseases. As part of the partnership, CEPI will provide up to $90m in funding to support the development of the vaccine candidates.

This partnership forms part of CEPI’s 100 Days Mission, which is a goal to accelerate development of vaccines against possible future pandemic viruses so vaccines can be ready for regulatory authorisation and manufacturing at scale within 100 days of recognition of a pandemic pathogen.

Professor Ugur Sahin, MD, CEO and co-founder of BioNTech, commented: “Mpox can cause severe complications, particularly in children and pregnant women as well as in immunocompromised individuals. The global outbreak, which was declared a public health emergency of international concern, underlines the need for a highly effective, well-tolerated and accessible mpox vaccine. We initiated our BNT166 programme in May 2022 to help address this need. We believe our scientific approach as well as our mRNA technology have the potential to significantly contribute to deliver on CEPI’s 100 Days Mission.”

Betsy Goodfellow

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